I recently had to find a birthday gift for a good friend of mine and was stumped for ideas. I was looking for a gift that would seem personal and thoughtful, but I was also trying to stay within my budget. I needed something that he would use and enjoy, but something expensive like a new computer or cell phone just wasn't in my price range. In order to find a good present, I started searching the internet. There were so many choices that I felt overwhelmed. There were lots of fancy electronic gizmos available that he might like, but I didn't know for sure what he already had or would be comfortable using. Since I am not overly savvy about current technology trends, I was reluctant to splurge on something that might be quickly outdated or gather dust if he has something that serves the same function.

While I was searching the web for gift ideas, I ran across a blog about stuffed animals. At first, I reasoned that he was too old for toys and searched onwards. But the idea of stuffed animals stuck in my head as I continued to search unsuccessfully, so I began to mull it over more seriously.

Who says that only kids should enjoy neat toys? A good stuffed animal can be not only nostalgic, but also appropriate for adults in the same way that cartoons can appeal to all ages. Many current animated TV shows, like King of the Hill, Family Guy, and The Simpsons are marketed for grown-ups. The superhero genre is also now equally for adults. Not only big hit movies like Iron Man or The Dark Knight, but the merchandise and toys based on these characters are widely collected by all ages. So there is no reason why stuffed toys can't be enjoyed by everyone regardless of age. Besides, age is just a number.

After thinking this through, I set out in search of the perfect plush animal for my friend. Since he doesn't have a collection of stuffed toys, I wanted to get him something relevant to his personality. Fortunately, the number of plush animals available today is much greater than just the teddy bears that once dominated the market. Toy versions of practically any animal that you can think of are currently available, so I just had to pick the right animal for my friend. Thinking back over the time that we have known each other soon provided inspiration.

As kids, we used to watch the movie The Wizard of Oz together. My friend was such a big fan that he auditioned and won the part of the Cowardly Lion in a school play. He is now a successful actor, so this was an important first step in his career. That was it! I decided on a plush lion and began my search.

There were a wide variety of lions in all sizes. I chose one that I thought he would like and gave it to him with a card explaining the meaning behind the gift. He just loved it! The lion now lives happily on his sofa, facing the TV where they can both enjoy my friend's achievements whenever one of his ads or movies is shown. I learned that stuffed animals can make a terrific gift for adults or children. So if you are having trouble picking the right gift with a personal meaning for someone, you should consider a stuffed animal.